The Otamatone is a cute, quirky, and fun to play electronic musical toy characterized by its eighth note-shaped body, adorable moving mouth, and silly, buzzing, amusingly off-key "voice." Developed by design firm Maywa Denki, it was first released in Japan in 2009. Available in your choice of Otamatone Deluxe - the largest variety and the one most suited to musicians and others looking to master the instrument, the Original Otamatone, perfect for beginners and those looking for an Otamatone that’s a bit smaller than the Otamatone Deluxe, and the Otamatone Melody, a mini, keychain sized Otamatone great for both kids and collectors that plays a variety pre-recorded melodies. The Otamatone creates electronic tones that you can control based on the position of your finger on the touch-sensitive fretboard. Use a switch on the back to choose an octave and slide your fingers up and down to play different notes. Open the Otamatone's mouth with a squeeze to change the sound from a hum to an “ahh” and create a “Wah Wah” effect. A perfect toy for lovers of all things cute, silly, and weird, the Otamatone also makes a great gag gift, and a unique and amusing gift for violinists and other musicians.
